Released the second economic Size and Scope of the Live Performance Industry, reporting the industry generated revenues of $2.55 billion in 2012

Released the 10th annual Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey, presented in digital format for the first time and including additional ticketing data from new data partners, improving our coverage of Single and Multi-category Festivals

Launched the Asian Producers Platform initiative with Performing Lines and partners from Korea, Japan and Taiwan

Developed new Member Guidelines and Policies including Child Safe Policy Guide, Guidance on the New Australian Privacy Principles and updated information on Component Pricing

Established the inaugural Sue Nattrass Award for Outstanding Service to the Industry, presented to Patricia Boggs for her lifetime service to the industry

Hosted, in association with QPAC, a Members’ Dinner in Brisbane to honour John Frost AM, the recipient of the 2014 JC Williamson Award for Outstanding Achievement

Serviced a record 396 Members with our Membership base remaining strong, diverse and national

Appointed our first dedicated Digital Strategy and Communications Manager

Launched a new fully integrated Helpmann Awards website and continued to expand the Members’ website

Operationally, the year end result is a significant achievement. The surplus reflects close management of expenses while maintaining delivery of a broad range of services. Our key challenge remains balancing delivery of LPA's strategic priorities within our available resources. With this in mind we set an internal objective this year to begin building a reserve for future legal costs. This was driven by our experience over the past three years where we have seen increased compliance and legal/regulatory changes requiring LPA to seek specialist advice in a range of areas. As the peak body, we need to continue investing in specialist advice on behalf of our Members.

Our staff structure saw some changes during the year. We appointed Charlotte St Clair Wilson as our Workplace Relations Advisor and Holly Crain as our Policy Advisor. We also appointed Rita Dimasi, our first Digital Strategy and Communications Manager.

Over the past 12 months the industry remained stable and the 2013 Ticketing Survey reported a record revenue of $1.47 billion up 22.7 percent on 2012, with attendances also up 10 percent at 17.9 million.

In the year ahead, we will continue to focus on strategic priorities that support the business activities of our Members. In particular, LPA is undertaking a significant review of the LPA Ticketing Code of Practice, after discussions with the ACCC regarding concerns raised about the industry’s compliance with Australian consumer law. This review will involve Member consultation nationally and the establishment of an external advisory group chaired by an independent and pre-eminent QC.

There are also a range of strategic issues at the state level where Members require our assistance as the peak body. These include venue infrastructure, ticketing compliance and various policy matters.

We gratefully acknowledge and thank LPA’s Executive Council, all members of our working committees, panels, external service providers, and the Executive team for their significant contribution over the past year. We also acknowledge the commitment and ongoing support of our Members. Our role is to represent and promote the interests of our industry. As always, we look forward to working with our Members to pursue these goals in the coming year.